Artist Detail

Arthur George Racey (Canada 1870-1941)

Arthur George Racey (1870-1941) was born in Quebec City and was a cartoonist for the Montreal Witness and later for the Montreal Star, where he worked from 1899 to 1941. Prior to that he had studied at McGill University, and it was there that he developed his interest in cartooning. He was also a student of painter William Brymner.

The universal nature of his work soon earned him a reputation that led to his cartoons being published in newspapers the world over. He also won recognition for his paintings, both watercolours and oils, many of which are now to be found in private collections in Canada.

He published two books: The Englishman in Canada in 1902 and Canadian Men of Affairs in Cartoon in 1922.

Arthur George Racey died in Montreal on December 21, 1941. He was the son of Dr. John Racey.

“Arthur George Racey was born in the city of Québec and attended the McGill University in Montréal. He specialized in caricatures, and published his first works in the Montreal Witness. In 1893-94, Racey published ‘The Englishman in Canada’, a series of humorous drawings featuring text balloons in The Montreal Star. In 1895-96 he cooperated on Le Canard, the magazine of Hector Berthelot, making several caricatures starring ‘Le Père Ladébauche’. He was also a political cartoonist in The Globe. In the early 20th century, he contributed to the humorous magazine of Toronto, The Moon. Upon the death of Henri Julien in 1908, Racey became the leading cartoonist in the Montreal Star and remained in this position for the rest of his career. Starting in 1927, Racey made a promotional comic strip for the Dawes brewery, called ‘T’a’Pas?’, that appeared in many weeklies and papers from Quebec.” (Lambiek Comiclopedia)